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Judge Expected to Formalize End of Britney Spears Guardianship

Des fans de Britney Spears rassemblés devant le tribunal de Stanley Mosk, le 29 septembre 2021 à Los Angeles, en Californie
Des fans de Britney Spears rassemblés devant le tribunal de Stanley Mosk, le 29 septembre 2021 à Los Angeles, en Californie
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Judge Expected to Formalize End of Britney Spears Guardianship

Des fans de Britney Spears rassemblés devant le tribunal de Stanley Mosk, le 29 septembre 2021 à Los Angeles, en Californie
Des fans de Britney Spears rassemblés devant le tribunal de Stanley Mosk, le 29 septembre 2021 à Los Angeles, en Californie

A Los Angeles judge is expected on Friday to formally approve the process of ending a controversial guardianship that has controlled pop star Britney Spears' life for the past 13 years.

The "Toxic" singer last month successfully had her father removed from the conservatorship -- which she has slammed as "abusive" -- and a temporary replacement of her choosing was appointed.

Judge Brenda Penny then also agreed to a request from Spears' lawyer to set another "short hearing" to formalize the "uncontested termination" of the conservatorship itself.

"This week is gonna be very interesting for me! I haven't prayed for something more in my life," Spears wrote in a now-deleted Instagram caption this week, AFP reported.

At last month's hearing, both sides voiced their support for swiftly ending the guardianship.

Confirming an earlier U-turn, lawyers for Britney's father Jamie in fact asked for it to be dissolved on the spot.

While denying he abused his position in control of his pop singer daughter's life and career, he has recently acknowledged that Britney "believes that she can handle her own life."

But Judge Penny consented to set a later date in order to allow Britney's lawyer Mathew Rosengart to present a comprehensive plan for the conservatorship's dissolution.

Another, later hearing in December is scheduled to settle outstanding financial issues, including legal fees.

- 'Free Britney' -

Friday's hearing could cap a years-long campaign by Spears and her legion of global fans to end a conservatorship that began after her highly public 2007 breakdown, when the shaven-headed star attacked a paparazzo's car at a gas station.

Now 39, Spears has said through her lawyers that her father was "never fit to serve," citing in one petition allegations of his "reported alcoholism" and "trauma he caused his daughter since her childhood."

As momentum has mounted, Spears said in a September filing that she wanted to end the guardianship as soon as possible so that she can marry her fiance Sam Asghari with a prenuptial agreement.

Spears has two children with former husband rapper Kevin Federline, and had a brief Las Vegas marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander that was annulled after just 55 hours.

She has previously alleged in court that she had been prevented by her father from having a contraceptive IUD removed, despite wanting more children. Jamie Spears denied the allegation.

He was removed from the guardianship with immediate effect at last month's hearing, with accountant John Zabel installed to care for her finances until the scheme ends.

Professional conservator Jodie Montgomery officially remains responsible for Britney's person until December 31, although her role could be terminated on Friday.

It is not known if Spears will appear, or address the court via telephone as she did earlier this summer.

A raucous army of fans bearing "Free Britney" signs have been a regular fixture outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse during hearings.

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Now Playing in Movie Theaters: 73 Minutes of Cat Videos, for a Good Cause

This image released by Oscilloscope Laboratories shows promotional art for Cat Video Fest 2025. (Oscilloscope Laboratories via AP)
This image released by Oscilloscope Laboratories shows promotional art for Cat Video Fest 2025. (Oscilloscope Laboratories via AP)
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Now Playing in Movie Theaters: 73 Minutes of Cat Videos, for a Good Cause

This image released by Oscilloscope Laboratories shows promotional art for Cat Video Fest 2025. (Oscilloscope Laboratories via AP)
This image released by Oscilloscope Laboratories shows promotional art for Cat Video Fest 2025. (Oscilloscope Laboratories via AP)

The best of the internet’s cat videos are coming to the big screen this weekend. Cat Video Fest is a 73-minute, G-rated selection of all things feline —silly, cuddly, sentimental and comedic—that’s playing in more than 500 independent theaters in the US and Canada.

A portion of ticket proceeds benefit cat-focused charities, shelters and animal welfare organization. Since 2019, it’s raised over $1 million.

The videos are curated by Will Braden, the Seattle-based creator of the comedically existential shorts, Henri, le Chat Noir. His business cards read: “I watch cat videos.” And it’s not a joke or an exaggeration. Braden watches thousands of hours of internet videos to make the annual compilation.

“I want to show how broad the idea of a cat video can be so there’s animated things, music videos, little mini documentaries,” Braden said. “It isn’t all just, what I call, ‘America’s Funniest Home Cat Videos.’ It’s not all cats falling into a bathtub. That would get exhausting.”

Now in its eighth year, Cat Video Fest is bigger than ever, with a global presence that’s already extended to the UK and Denmark, and, for the first time, to France, Spain, Japan and Brazil. Last year, the screenings made over $1 million at the box office.

In the early days, it was a bit of a process trying to convince independent movie theaters to program Cat Video Fest. But Braden, and indie distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories, have found that one year is all it takes to get past that hurdle.

“Everywhere that does it wants to do it again,” Braden said.

Current theatrical partners include Alamo Drafthouse, IFC Center, Nitehawk, Vidiots, Laemmle and Music Box. The screenings attract all variety of audiences, from kids and cat ladies to hipsters and grandparents and everyone in between.

“It’s one of the only things, maybe besides a Pixar movie or Taylor Swift concert, that just appeals to everybody,” Braden said.

And the plan is to keep going.

“We’re not going to run out of cat videos and we’re not going to run out of people who want to see it,” Braden said. “All I have to do is make sure that it’s really funny and entertaining every year.”